Williamson Takes Control Of Offense

September 26, 1991|By Ed Werder of The Sentinel Staff

Tampa Bay Bucs coach Richard Williamson has made himself responsible for the X's and O's in the Tampa Bay Bucs' offense, taking control of the play-calling in a move some of his assistant coaches perceive as an attempt to control his future.

But Williamson said Wednesday he feels confident Bucs owner Hugh Culverhouse remains committed to him despite this season's 0-4 start and his 1-6 career record in the NFL.

''As far as I know,'' he said, ''I don't see any signs of it being that way. I'm very comfortable.'' In addition to not sensing pressure from Culverhouse, Williamson said he has been permitted to make major lineup changes, such as the one he made this week in benching quarterback Vinny Testaverde for Chris Chandler.

Bucs General Manager Phil Krueger said he contacted New York Giants General Manager George Young earlier this week but denied the availability of former Giants coach Bill Parcells was part of their conversation.

''We weren't talking about anything like that,'' Krueger said. ''Parcells' name wasn't mentioned. That's not any consideration for the Buccaneers. I don't think there is any owner unhappiness with the way the team is being coached or handled.''

But Parcells was interested in the position when Williamson was named and has been the subject of conjecture about possibly replacing him after the season. Parcells, who is a broadcaster-in-training with NBC-TV, might be interested in returning to coaching with the Bucs if he could also become an NFL president or general manager.

Young said he is unaware of interest from the Bucs in Parcells and noted they seem satisfied with Williamson. ''I have a good relationship with the Tampa people and always have,'' Young said. ''There was no indication whatsoever they are displeased with Coach Williamson.''

Young refused to discuss the remaining terms of the contract between the Giants and Parcells. He had one year remaining on his contract before leaving, meaning the Bucs or another interested team might have to buy out the contract or provide the Giants with compensation such as draft choices to permit his departure.

''I can't say we're trying to set up impediments,'' Young said. ''We haven't really thought about it, and until we do, we're not going to talk about it. Bill hasn't given us any indication that he's unhappy doing what he's doing. I haven't had any conversations with a lawyer or an owner.

''The Tuesday after the Super Bowl, I got a call from Phil Krueger and he asked for permission to talk with Bill Belichick. I said, 'Aren't you talking about the wrong Bill?' He said, 'Bill Belichick.' They never, ever asked about Bill Parcells. That's as true as I can get.''

Although there has been supposition Williamson could be fired this season and ultimately replaced with Parcells, he has taken occasion to promote himself. He has assumed the role previously managed not by offensive coordinator Hank Kuhlmann but by quarterbacks coach Morris Watts. Most teams have the head coach or offensive coordinator calling plays.

''I started calling them Sunday,'' Williamson said Wednesday. ''I just felt like I wanted to do it, so I did it. I had been calling some. I mean, I had not been calling them all. But if I'm going to throw one or two in, that's going to disrupt the rhythm of the person calling the plays, so if I'm going to do that, I might as well call them all and let someone disrupt me.''

''That's fine with me,'' Watts said. ''I didn't expect to call them when I came here. I was surprised.''

Despite being with Ray Perkins for four seasons, Williamson never called plays in the NFL until he took over as coach of the Bucs on an interim basis. He made those decisions during part of his six seasons as head coach at Memphis State.

The disclosure of Williamson's new role came in the same week he decided to start Chandler. The coach is concerned the move could be viewed as an indication of panic. Said Williamson, ''I'm not because it's not.''